LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- CBS has formally given the axe to its freshman drama "Three Rivers."

CBS topper Nina Tassler revealed said development when prompted about its fate during the network's executive session at the TCA.

"You know what - yes," Tassler admitted. "We've all known each other long enough to say when something's on hiatus it's code for something else. The reality is we were very proud of that show... eight lives were saved as a result of the organ donation that people became aware of because of that show. And every show takes its time in finding its legs - some shows take longer than others - but I think at the end of the day knowing that the fact that that show was on the air had that kind of impact is pretty extraordinary."

As for the fate of "NUMB3RS," which will wrap a shortened season in March, Tassler says it's "absolutely" in consideration for next year. Tassler added that the abbreviated run was only a result of real estate issues for midseason dramas like "Miami Medical."

Said predicament will also force the network to push imports "Flashpoint" (18 episodes) and "The Bridge" (13 episodes) outside the regular season, however no dates were given.

Jay Leno and Charlie Sheen however were the topics that dominated the half-hour. "I think ultimately there is no substitute for developing great shows," Nina said about NBC's various foibles. "10 o'clock is a great business for us. And the unfortunate thing is our creative community was to some degree somewhat bruised by this... a lot of people were put out of work, a lot of people really saw this as having a pretty negative impact on our business. But I think right now for us it just allowed us to get a bigger piece of the [pie] at 10 o'clock."

She later added: "What I have the most trouble with is for their company, their decision to do what they did... this is a reflection on the whole network business. I think it was misguided and... at the end of the day it was an experiment that did not work."

As for her "Two and a Half Men" star's legal troubles, Tassler said: "Right now we're being very sensitive to the fact that this is a very personal and very private matter. There's been no impact on the network right now. The show is proceeding along its regular production schedule. They taped a show last night. So right now there's been no impact and I really have to credit Chuck [Lorre]... he runs a wonderful show and right now it's business as usual for us."